Seafarers should watch out. How many shipowners are willing to train their personnel on new technology? Not many; they are usually happier to poach already trained staff. If there aren’t any, then it’ll be the usual – the instruction book thrown at you and the blame if something goes wrong. I have little faith in a Just Transition.
Autonomous means self-ruling, and no ship has been that since radio was invented. I’d suggest polionomous, ruled from the city, since it’s going to be an office wallah calling the shots. Same as now, except in the end there will be no skilled and experienced crew to forestall Mr Office’s mistakes.
Rose King
More letters
Catch up with old Clan Line colleagues
The annual Clan Line reunion will take place this year at the Liner Hotel in Liverpool on Wednesday 1 October 2025.
The latest consequence of shortsighted policy-making
Having read the article about UK defence on your website, I thought it was spot on about needing to secure the future of the Merchant Navy if the government wants a defence capability.
Britain's WW2 government acknowledged Merchant Navy sacrifice
As you will know, this year marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day. I enclose a copy of a transmission, sent by telegraphy in May 1945, from the Admiralty to 'all ships', expressing the victory message to the Merchant Navy, from the minister of war transport.